Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, said the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving and is increasingly becoming technology-driven, with advanced technologies playing a decisive role in national security and strategic preparedness.
Speaking during a fireside chat at the Alternate Media Conference “Unstoppable Bharat 2026” in New Delhi, the minister said traditional man-to-man combat is gradually reducing as modern warfare becomes more dependent on technological capabilities.
Dr Singh said sectors such as space technology, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and advanced scientific research will play a critical role in shaping India’s future security architecture as well as its broader development trajectory.
Referring to recent reforms in the space sector, the minister said opening the sector to private participation and startups has led to the emergence of a dynamic innovation ecosystem. He noted that India’s space startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly and the country’s space economy is expected to grow significantly as industry, research institutions and young innovators collaborate more closely.
Dr Singh said India has strong scientific talent and the government has been working to build an ecosystem that nurtures innovation from an early stage. He pointed to initiatives aimed at encouraging students at school and university levels to pursue careers in science and technology.
Programmes such as Vigyan Jyoti and mentoring initiatives are helping young students, particularly girls, explore opportunities in research and innovation, he said.
The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening India’s scientific base by encouraging students to identify their aptitude early and pursue diverse fields of research. He said the National Education Policy has provided greater flexibility for students to move across disciplines and explore emerging areas of science and technology.
Highlighting the importance of energy security in the era of digital transformation, Dr Singh said nuclear energy will play an important role in supporting future technologies such as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centres that require reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
He said nuclear power provides a clean and dependable source of energy and will remain a key component of India’s long-term energy strategy.
The minister also referred to the growing role of nuclear science in healthcare, noting that nuclear medicine is creating new possibilities in the treatment of serious diseases including cancer and blood disorders. Increased research and industry participation, he said, will help expand access to advanced medical technologies.
Dr Singh said India is entering a phase in which collaboration between government institutions, private industry and the scientific community will accelerate innovation and strengthen national capabilities across sectors including defence, healthcare, clean energy and advanced technologies.
Leave a Reply